PLAYING THE PLAYER - Episode 8

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Nigeria's leading fictional story blog - University, all cases, all charges against the University, a legal case, Secretary, doctor, hospital, babies, London, love.

“I will lodge your case in court on Monday,” Benfield said to Oluchi over the phone. “I have changed my mind, David,” she answered. “Please withdraw the case against the University,” she continued. “Why? This is an opportunity to make a lot of money! I think you should go after the University and those boys,” he shot back at her. “No, it is not necessary. I have decided to drop all cases against all of them. In some cases, I brought some of the things that happened upon myself. I’d rather let it go!” “You are making a grave mistake! The University has offered to pay Chisom Uzonna two hundred and fifty thousand pounds! Don’t you want that?” Benfield barked. “I want nothing to do with it, David. I’d have to drag everyone involved in the mud to get the money after I went sleeping around with Professor Evans. I want to end this cycle. I’d rather focus on my studies and try to graduate.”

“And what about Evans? He should pay you for the babies. What if the University rusticates you?” “If they do, I’d pack my things and return home to my parents. They’d be disappointed, but I know they still love me, so they’d take me in. As for Evans, I am not even sure he is the father of my babies. Time will tell.” Benfield could not believe his ears. He was already thinking of the mouthwatering sum he would collect from any damages that Oluchi was paid. He was in a rage after hanging up.

By Monday morning, Oluchi went to see the University Secretary. “What brings you to my office again?” He asked her. “I came to inform you that I have decided to drop all charges against the University. I do not wish to press charges against you anymore. I am sick and tired of the fighting. I know you may still expel me, but that is up to you. I really want to graduate, but if you carry on with your initial threat to rusticate me, I will carry on with my life. I mean, it will hurt, but I won’t hold it against you,” she explained calmly. The Secretary stared carefully at her. He wondered if this was a ploy by Oluchi to throw him off guard before she brought a legal case against the University. “Are you serious?” He asked. “Yes…I am very serious.” “Well, I will see how that goes. If you keep your word, maybe, we’ll not take any further actions against you.” “Thank you,” she said. “You are welcome,” the Secretary answered. She left, feeling a wave of peace and calm. She had not missed a single church service since the preaching that pierced her soul and heart. She was making new friends and focusing on her studies.

Six months later…

“Baba, I don’t know why I can’t conceive. I have tried everything in the books, yet I can’t conceive. I know Azubuike will marry me once I conceive. He does not seem to bring up marriage at all, and I don’t want to appear desperate by bringing it up to him. Please I need your help. I need a concoction that will make me pregnant and another one that will make him want to marry me tomorrow with or without pregnancy on my part,” Folashade explained to a traditional medicine man. “My daughter, you have come to the right place,” the medicine man replied. “Show me your palm,” he instructed her. Folashade opened her pals as wide as the earth itself. He peered at them intently for a moment and then placed a piece of an old tree stump in her right palm. “Hold both of your palms together,” he ordered her. Folashade obliged. “Close your eyes and relax. Let the spirits work flow through you. Yes, relax my daughter. I can see children in your future. They will come in their numbers. You will be a mother of many…twins…they are coming!” The medicine rose to his feet and danced around in a circular formation.

He sat back down on the floor and asked her to open her eyes. “Take this,” he said offering her some wraps while taking the short piece of old tree stump from her. “When you reach home, mix each in water and drink it every morning for the next seven days. Here is another one,” he said elatedly. “This one is for your boyfriend. Put this in his food when you serve him. Mix the food well and have him eat it. Make sure he makes love to you after eating the food. In a fortnight, you will be a married woman and twins will follow you as fly follows someone stained with feacal material.” “Thank you baba!!!” Folashade greeted him boisterously. “You are welcome my daughter.” She handed him a wad of naira notes. It was twenty five thousand naira in all. He placed the money in his waist bag as Folashade left the shrine. She was back in Lagos by late evening.

Oluchi was looking heavy now. Her belly was seriously protruding like Mount Kilimanjaro. She walked slowly out of the classroom, gently holding desks and the wall for support. All of a sudden, she began to feel woozy. The pregnancy was beginning to take its toll. She had been considering taking time off school by deferring her study, but she thought she could go another week before starting her deferment. All of a sudden, her knees gave way and she began to fall. Bernard, who had barely said much to her since they fell out, was beside the door. He reacted fast and caught her before she hit the ground.

“Are you okay?” He asked holding her. She did not answer. Then, blood began to flow down her legs. “Someone call an ambulance!!!” Bernard shouted. An ambulance arrived shortly and whisked her to the hospital. Bernard joined the ambulance. He called Chisom to inform him what had happened. Oluchi was rushed into the theater on arriving at the hospital. Bernard felt obliged to stay around. He wondered what she was going through. Chisom arrived at the hospital two hours later. “Do you think she is going to be alright?” He asked Bernard. “I hope so. The doctors here are really good. I pray they save her life. I was panic-stricken when I noticed she was bleeding. She may have lost her babies though,” Bernard explained. “I hope she is fine too.”

It was 9:45PM when a doctor came to see them in the lounge. “Is she alright?” Bernard asked. Surprisingly, his heart was pounding. “I think so. She lost quite some blood, so we have her on blood transfusion. There were complications with her pregnancy, so we had to conduct a cesarean section. Her babies are in the incubator now. They seem to be doing okay, but being premature, they will have to be in the incubator for some time. She was sedated, so she probably won’t come around today. I’d suggest you come back tomorrow to see her,” the doctor explained. He was a soft-spoken man, probably in his mid-forties. His spectacles hung on his nose like a professor. He smiled intermittently, which reassured Bernard and Chisom. They left as the doctor suggested.

On their way to the University in the morning, they stopped by to check in on Oluchi. Several of their classmates had come to see her as well. Their Pharmacognosy lecturer had cancelled lecture for the day to allow them time to visit with Oluchi. She looked tired when they walked in. Another Nigerian student in their class, Wole was seated to the left of the room. Priya, Megan, Jose, Aliya, Maria, Isabel and Jerome were around as well. “You are awake,” Bernard said as he and Chisom entered. “I hear you were the one that caught me as I plummeted towards ground,” Oluchi answered. “Thanks!” She added. “You are welcome.” “Good to know that you are fine,” Chisom said. “Thanks for coming.” They joked and chatted for nearly an hour before they began to disperse. Chisom and Bernard stayed back.

“I have been meaning to say sorry for everything,” Oluchi said to them when everyone had left. “It is okay, Oluchi. What matters now is that you recover. “I trust God that I will be alright,” she replied. “Have you seen my twins?” She asked. They both shook their heads. “I can have the nurses take you to go and see them. They are mixed race. My stupid escapades with Prof Evans have come to light.” Neither of them said anything. They went with a nurse to see the twins. They left shortly after returning to her room. “If you need anything, please let us know,” Chisom offered. “I will. Thanks for coming.”

“I feel sorry for her,” Bernard said as they descended the stairs. A few days later she informed Prof Evans of her babies. “Are you trying to get money off me or do you want me to marry you for visa or something?” He asked her rudely. “I want nothing to do with you!” He barked into the phone before hanging up on her. “God, you gave me these children, I know you will help me raise them,” she said to herself amid tears. She wiped her face, refusing to plunge into another period of sorrow. The next day, Bernard came to see her again. She was being discharged, although her babies were to remain in the incubator for another fortnight. She was to come and see them daily.

“Let me hold that for you,” Bernard offered grabbing her bag from her. “You really came to help me?” She asked him. He nodded. “I would like to see my boys one more time. Do you mind if I run down there and come back?” She asked. “I will come with you,” he replied with a gentle smile. “Thanks Benny!” “You are welcome,” he replied still smiling. She and Bernard stood by the incubator and watched her twins who were sleeping peacefully. She placed a hand on the incubator as though she could touch her boys. “They are ‘beautiful’ really,” Bernard said. “Thanks. Yes, they really are.” He helped her to the train station afterwards. They sat beside each other as the train galloped through the London underground.

“Have you told him?” Bernard asked referring to Evans. She nodded affirmatively. “Is he going to take responsibility?” “She shook her head. “You can drag him to court; you know to pay for the children.” “I know. I am still thinking about it. I am not sure I want any more drama. I am trusting God for direction right now.” “I am praying for you. Please let me know if there is anything I could do to help.” “Thanks Benny. Thank you so much. I am sorry for…for breaking your heart.” She placed a hand on his leg gently. “It is okay. We all make mistakes.” “I made too many mistakes…I am really sorry. I guess I came to London and forgot who I was in an attempt to enjoy life. Look where that has brought me.”

“We all make mistakes,” he reiterated. When they reached her stop, he walked her to her door. “Thanks a lot Benny,” she said staring him in the eye. “You are welcome. I wish I could do more.” “You have done a lot. I don’t deserve your kindness after everything.” “I hurt you too. I…” He paused as a wave of guilt swept through him. “I have destroyed all those videos. Chisom and I have destroyed them. I guess we were too angry at you that we wanted to hurt you so much. I am really sorry. I…” He paused again. She moved closer and placed her arms around his neck. A waft of snow slowly descended from above, painting the streets white. A ball of snow fell on his head and then on hers as she looked piercingly into his eyes. “I really loved you, you know,” Bernard said. “I am sorry. I should have seen it, but I was blinded by my lust, stupidity and quest for money. I guess I am no longer worthy of your love, not with two mixed race sons.” “Everyone is deserving of love, Olu.” “He pulled her close to his body and they held each other as more snow gently pelted them.

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